ARE YOU STRESSING?

Being a father, I can certainly relate to the stress many athletes go through between trying to perform on the court, balance college and/or high school classes, clubs, church, chores and still have some type of social life.  

I’ve heard the complaints about homework and stress.  Listened to the worry of maintaining a good GPA, studying for the SAT/ACT.  Listened to how she skipped lunch to study for a test or missed breakfast because she woke up late due to studying all-night.

Stressing out, skipping meals or eating poorly and not getting enough sleep lead to poor performance both in the classroom and on the court.

According to the October Men’s Health, “stress can make you weak…one theory: People who are highly stressed tend to follow unhealthy diets and sleep less, both of which may affect their workout performance," says John Bartholomew, PhD, the study’s co-author.  What’s more, elevated stress-hormone levels can hamper muscle recovery.

 

For coaches, it is often easy to believe that when a player looks frustrated and like she isn’t working hard enough or she is being lazy or pouting, that the real reason may just be fatigue.

I believe most players want to improve and want to excel.  However, when a player is stressed, whether from basketball workouts, school or from a combination of everything they are dealing with in their daily lives, they are often unable to perform to their potential.

As a coach, I do not always know what an athlete is going through or their stress situation.  If a player comes to practice and looks like they are in a bad mood or they just don’t put forth much effort, well, that is usually what I and their teammates assume is wrong…a bad mood or a lack of effort.

However, if fatigue or stress is the underlying cause, then it is the athlete’s responsibility to bring it to my attention so we can get them some much-needed down time.

If any of you need a night off to just exhale and catch your breath whether it be from basketball, school or your personal life, just ask.  Take care of yourself. 

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